Manila facing possible peak brownouts

subscribe

Peak power demand on the Philippines main island of Luzon, where the capital city of Manila is located, is forecast to hit 7,900 megawatts MW in 2011, which is 300 MW higher than the 2010 peak.

Brownouts could be prevalent from March to May if there are any breakdowns in power generation at peak-demand periods. Although 2,700 MW of additional power from new thermal plants is scheduled to become operational in 2013, new projects will be behind the demand curve, as they have not been coordinated or planned ahead of time.

Manila's economy is expected to grow at a rate of 7 to 8 this year, up from the 6 target in 2010. Energy-saving measures will be instituted again, with air-conditioning units being shut down early, and escalators and elevators in government buildings operating for reduced periods. Another 150 to 200 MW could be transmitted to Luzon from the Visayas region, which is in the central Philippines.

Manila Electric Company Meralco is one of a number of companies looking to move into the power generation sector or expand their existing project base within the sector, with many of projects due to begin operations in 2013 at the earliest.

Meralco is planning to invest $2 billion to $2.3 billion to add 1,500 MW in capacity at its Luzon franchise area for power supply and distribution. President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said in 2010 that Meralco was in the process of creating a new subsidiary, Meralco Power Generation Company, to operate the power generation stake. The total 1,500 MW will be constructed through 2012 to 2016, with the first project, a 150-MW peaking plant, to be constructed at Laguna with a diesel-fed "aero-derivative" turbine generator set. Funding for the $152 million project will come from 70 loans and 30 equity. Merlaco also had discussions with a number of companies with a view to partnerships, on the basis of offering the best benefits to the company and customers.

Meralco CEO Oscar Reyes said that the company also would construct coal and LNG facilities. He said that the company was considering expanding its distribution service beyond the present franchise, possibly going into specialty engineering and railway construction through affiliated company divisions.

Related News

DOE

Energy Department Announces 20 New Competitors for the American-Made Solar Prize

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the 20 competitors who have been invited to advance to the next phase of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 3, a competition designed to incentivize the nation’s entrepreneurs to strengthen American leadership in solar energy innovation and domestic manufacturing.

The American-Made Solar Prize is designed to help more American entrepreneurs thrive in the competitive global energy market. Each round of the prize brings new technologies to pre-commercial readiness in less than a year, ensuring new ideas enter the marketplace. As part of the competition, teams will have access to a network of…

READ MORE
manhattan lights

Electricity Demand In The Time Of COVID-19

READ MORE

suspected russians hacking usa power system

Russia suspected as hackers breach systems at power plants across US

READ MORE

Opinion: Now is the time for a western Canadian electricity grid

READ MORE

Trump declares end to 'war on coal,'

Trump declares end to 'war on coal,' but utilities aren't listening

READ MORE